Gate.



Patented Nov. 2, l90l.

W. H. THAYER.

GATE.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. THAYER', OF ATOHISON, KANSAS.

- GATE.

$PECIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,489, dated November 12, 1901.

I Application filed March 18. 1901. Serial No. 51,674v \Ho model.)

T0 at whom/ 1? may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. THAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atchison, in the county of Atchison andState of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gates; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to gates, and has special reference to improvements in that type of swinging gates comprising a vertically adjustable or folding panel, whereby the swinging or front end of the gate may be raised to any desired elevation to permit of its being swung over obstructions. To this end theinvent-ion contemplates an improved construction of swinging gate of the vertically adj ustable or folding type thoroughly braced and strengthened,while at the same time comprising simple and practical means for admitting of the temporary elevation thereof for the purpose of swinging the same over obstructions and also permitting the gate-panel to be hung on an upward or downward inclination, according as the requirements of the ground may demand.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the natureof the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of partshereinafter. more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential featuresof the invention are necessarily susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention; but the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a gate constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in its normal locked position. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the gate shown in a raised or tilted position and indicating in dotted lines how the same may be hung so as to swing in such position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectionalview of the upper hinge connection for the swinging gate panel. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the lower hinge connection for the gate-panel. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed elevation of the angled such braces'fitted therein, the view being from the side opposite to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1., showing in detail the construction of the latch device which prevents the lifting up of the gate by stock nosing beneath the same.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

In carrying out the invention there are utilized the ordinary gate-postsland 2,spaced apart in the usual manner and designed, respectively, for the hinge-support of the gatepanel 3 and the latching or fastening of the swinging end thereof to provide for locking the same in its closed position.

It is not important precisely how the frame of the gate-panel is constructed, providing such frame is capable of tilting or folding Vertically; but asimple construction is shown in the drawings, which essentially comprises front and rear gate standards or uprights 4 and 5, respectively, and a plurality of longitudinal runners 6, connecting the oppositelyarranged standards 4 and 5 and having suitable fastening connections 7 therewith of such a nature as to not interfere with the vertical tilting or folding of the panel. The runners b may obviously consist of rails, but preferably are of wire, which renders the structure comparatively light, while at the same time giving thesame sufficient strength and permitting the tilting or folding action described.

In order to provide for a proper bracing of the gate-panel frame 3, there are preferably associated withsuch frame diagonally-crossin g braces or brace-bars 7 and 8, respectively, the diagonal or inclined brace 7 serving to connect the upper rear-corner of the gatepanel and the lower front corner, while the other diagonal or inclined brace connects the lower rear corner of the gate-panel with the front upper corner. At their point of intersection the separate braces 7 and Sare designed to be rigidly united and preferably through the medium of the angled coupling box or casting 9. This angled coupling-box 9 is usually formed of a single casting and essentially consists of separate diagonallycrossing channeled arms 10,constitutin g seats for receiving the intersecting portions of the braces, whereby such braces may be firmly and rigidly united. The said braces are securely fastened within and to the box or casting 9 by means of the bolts or equivalent fastenings 11. The braces at their points of intersection may obviously be brought flush by halving the same together in the ordinary manner or by forming one of the braces into separate sections and the other brace of a single unbroken bar, the latter construction perhaps being the preferable one, with the brace 8 extending continuously from the lower rear corner of the gatepanel to the front upper corner.

The terms front and rear are used, respectively, to designate for convenience in description the swinging and hinged ends of the gate-panel. The front ends of the braces 7 and 8 are firmly connected to the front gatestandard at through the medium of the connecting-straps 12, securely bolted to the braces and the said standard, thus effecting a rigid connection between the braces and the swinging end of the gatepanel. The upper rear end of the brace 7 has fitted thereto a pair of guiding-straps l3, loosely straddling or embracing the rear gatestandard 5, contiguous to its upper end, so as to admit of the vertical tilting or folding of the panel, while the lower rear end of the brace 8 has fitted thereto the pivot-straps 14, which are pivotally connected by means of a pivot 15 to the horizontal arm 16 of the lower hinge member 17. The lower hinge member 17 essentially consists of a fixed socket 18, which is securely bolted or otherwise fastened to the lower end of the rear gate-standard 5 and is provided with a pendent pintle turning in the bearing-opening 20, formed in the lower angled hinge-bracket 21, secured to the gatepost 1 and arranged in vertical alinement with the corresponding upper hinge-bracket 22, also secured to the post 1 at or contiguous to its upper end. The upper bracket 22 is likewise provided with a bearing-opening 23, receiving the upstanding pintle 24 of the upper hinge member 25, which is in the form of a cap bolted or otherwise fastened to the upper end of the rear gate-standard 5 and preferably has bolted thereto the bolt-shank 26 of a supporting-hook 27, adapted to be adjustably engaged by a fastening-section 28 of a tie-rod or equivalent device 29, bolted or otherwise suitably fastened, as at 30, to the front standard a, at or contiguous to the upper end thereof.

The latch device which is preferably associated with the gate essentially comprises an angled catch-plate 31, bolted to the inner side of the post 2 and provided with beveled side edges 32 and a keeper-notch 33 at the apex of such edges to receive an upright latchspring 34, secured fast at its lower end, as at 35, to the front standard 4 and confined for play within an approximately U-shaped stirrup 36, secured to and projecting outward from the front panel 4.

In the normal position of the gate, such as shown in Fig. 1, the disposition of the stirrup 36 beneath the plate 31 looks the gate-panel against upward movement or displacement, especially by stock, and also by means of the fastening-section 28 of the tie-rod, which section is conveniently in the form of a chain. The gate-panel can be hung for use at an upward or downward inclination.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a gate, a vertically-tilting swinging panel comprising end standards and runners connecting the same, one of said end standards having fixedly-positioned and verticallyalined hinges,diagonally-crossing braces having a rigid connection with the standard at the unhinged end of the panel, and a pivotal and slidable connection respectively with the said hinged standard, and a device comprising means for securing the panel set at an inclination.

2. In a gate, a vertically-tilting swinging panel comprising end standards and runners connecting the same, one of said end standards carrying a supporting-hook at the upper end thereof, and a longitudinally-arranged tie-rod connected with the upper end portion of the other standard, and provided with a chain section loosely and adj ustably engaging with said hook.

3. In a gate, the vertically-tilting swinging panel having front and rear standards, the vertically-alined hinge-brackets, the upper and lower hinge members fitted respectively to the upper and lower ends of the rear standard, and having pintles engaging the hingebracket, the upper hinge member carrying a hook, diagonally-crossing and rigidly-united braces firmly connected at their front end with the front standard, guide-straps attached to the rear end of one brace, and loosely straddling the rear standard, pivot-straps attached to the rear end of the other brace and pivoted to the lower hinge member, and a tierod connected to the front standard and having an adjustable connection with said hook.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. TIIAYER.

Witnesses:

Z. E. JACKSON, W. A. JACKSON. 

